Combined pocket cigarette case and ash tray



Feb. 19, 1952 'F. J. EPLER EIAL 2,585,923

COMBINED POCKET CIGARETTE CASE AND ASH TRAY Filed Nov. 8. 1949 INVENTORSHAeeY PF'AM Patented Feb. 19, 1952 COMBINED POCKET CIGARETTE CASE ANDASH TRAY Frederick J. Epler, Santa Monica, and Harry J. Pfau, Hollywood,Calif.

Application November 8, 1949, Serial No. 126,206

3 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in cigarette cases, and moreparticularly to an improved combination cigarette case and ash receiver.

A main object of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedcombined cigarette case and ash receiver which is very simple inconstruction, which is .very compact in size, which provides convenientaccess to the cigarettes contained therein, and which provides a meansof storing burnt matches, burnt cigarettes, ashes and the like, forconvenient subsequent disposal.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved combinedcigarette case and ash receiver which is very inexpensive tomanufacture, which is neat in appearance, and which is. pro vided withmeans for easily removing the ash receiver when it is desired to emptysame.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will. become apparentfrom the following descriptionand claims, and from the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a combination cigarette case and ashreceiver constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the combination cigarette caseand ash receiver of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Figure1;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the telescoping top cover of thecombined cigarette case and ash receiver shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the combination cigarette case and ashreceiver of Figures l, 2 and 3. with the top cover removed.

Referring to the drawings, ll designates the main body of the device,said main body comprising a rectangular casing having side walls l2, l2,end walls l3 and M, and a bottom wall 15 provided adjacent end wall I3with a hinged flap it. The flap I6 is biased toward closed position by aconventional hinge spring, shown at ii. The casing H is relativelynarrow in width, and is of such width as to telescopically receive aconventional package of cigarettes, shown in dotted view at 1B. Thebreadth of the casing H, however, is somewhat larger than the breadth ofa conventional cigarette package, pro viding a space over the flap IS inwhich is slidably received a vertical receptacle it which extends ashort distance above the top rim of the casing H, as does the package ofcigarettes 18. The side walls l2, l2 are formed with opposinginwardly-pressed, vertical ribs 29, and the opposing side walls of thereceptacle l9 are formed to fit telescopically over the casing l I, andformed with an inwardly-pressed rib 23 in each side wall thereof whichfits slidably into the vertical groove defined by the inwardly-pressedrib 2c of the adjacent side wall of the casing H. The bottom wall [5 ofcasing II projects outwardly with respect -to the vertical walls of thecasing to define a lip or head, as shown in Figure 5, with which thebottom rim of the cover 22 abuts when the cover is moved to closedposition over the receptacle l9 and easing II. In this latter position,the top wall of the cover 22, shown at 24, abuts the top rim of thereceptacle 19, thereby effectively sealing said receptacle.

In using the device, the cover member 22 is removed, thereby affordingaccess to the package of cigarettes I8. At the same time, the receptacleI9 is uncovered, affording access to the interior thereof. Burntmatches, cigarette ashes, burnt cigarettes, and similar refuse, may becarried in the receptacle I9 until the receptacle is filled, whereuponthe receptacle may be removed by pushing downwardly thereon and holdingthe flap It in a depending, vertical position, as shown in Figure 5 indotted view. When the receptacle 19 has been emptied, said receptaclemay be returned to its normal position in the casing H by inserting itupwardly through the opening in the bottom wall it, holding the flapmember it open. Alternatively, the receptacle it may be replaced byinserting it into the casing H from the top, in either event the groove2| being fitted. into the inwardlypressed ribs 29 of the casing.

While a specific embodiment of combination cigarette case and ashreceptacle has been disclosed in the foregoing description, it will beunderstood that various modifications within the spirit of the inventionmay occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is intended that nolimitations be placed on the invention except 3 as defined by the scopeof the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A pocket cigarette case and ash tray comprising a rectangular casehaving an open top, a hinged flap in the bottom wall of the caseadjacent one side margin thereof, a vertical inwardly-projecting ribcarried by one of the walls of the case over said flap, a verticalreceptacle slidably fitting in said case, said receptacle beingsubstantially greater in height than the case, said receptacle beingformed with a vertical groove slidably receiving said vertical rib, saidreceptacle being arranged to pass through the bottom wall of the casewhen the flap is in open position, sprin means biasing the flap towardclosed position, and a cover member telescopically fitting over the caseand arranged to abut the top rim of the receptacle, whereby to close allsaid receptacle, said cover member being formed with aninwardly-projecting element slidably engaging the outer surface of saidinwardly-projecting rib.

2. A pocket cigarette case and ash tray comprising a rectangular casinghaving an open top, the bottom of said casing contiguous to one sidethereof being provided with an opening, an upright receptacle positionedinteriorly of said casing and mounted in the latter for longitudinalmovement through said opening to a position exteriorly of said casing, aclosure flap bridging said opening and hingedly connected to one edge ofsaid opening for normally supporting said receptacle interiorly of saidcasing, a cover member telescopically mounted over said casing for 4receptacle and said cover for guiding said receptacle during saidlongitudinal movement and for guiding said cover during movement intoclosing relation with said open top of said casing and the open top ofsaid receptacle.

3. A pocket cigarette case and ash tray comprising a rectangular casinghaving an open top, the bottom of said casin contiguous to one sidethereof being provided with an opening, an upright receptacle positionedinteriorly of said casing and mounted in the latter for longitudinalmovement through said opening to a position exteriorly of said casing, aclosure flap bridging said opening and hingedly connected to one edge ofsad opening for normally supporting said receptacle interiorly of saidcasing, a cover member telescopically mounted over said casing formovement into closing relation with said open top of the latter and theopen end of said receptacle, and means provided longitudinally of saidcasin and interengaging means carried by said receptacle and said coverfor guiding said receptacle during said longitudinal movement and forguiding said cover member during movement into closing relation withsaid open top.

FREDERICK J. EPLER. HARRY J. PFAU.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,840,664 Gerstheimer Jan. 12,1932 1,957,261 Gaxiola May 1, 1934 2,058,710 Montgomery Oct. 27, 19362,418,188 Nixon Apr. 1, 1947 v FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date431,721 Great Britain July 15, 1935

